New children’s advocacy centre to be first of its kind in Manitoba to help young victims of serious abuse

Officials announced Winnipeg will get a new centre to help children who are victims of serious abuse.

"In the coming months, this centre will bring together under one roof a team of professionals to help those children, while at the same time increasing the likelihood that abusers will be brought to justice,” said Jennifer Howard, the province’s family services minister.

The centre will be the first of its kind in Manitoba and will be staffed with child-protection and victim services providers and police.

Rosalind Prober, president of Beyond Borders, said having multiple services under one roof will help kids.

"This is a model that makes the justice system more fair for children who are victims of abuse," said Prober.

The centre is expected to be up and running in the next few months.

Officials believe it will eventually work with about 100 children per year.